The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) is a service center responsible for providing high-quality animal care, veterinary care, and support for the research and teaching missions of the University of Colorado, Boulder. The highly dedicated and experienced OAR staff is committed to the health and well-being of laboratory animals, student and investigator training, and technical service.

Veterinary and Technical Support:

• Perform evaluations and triage of sick and injured animals based on professional judgment and departmental policies and SOPs.
• Connect with investigators, and perform treatment or euthanasia of sick/injured animals after authorization from the investigator or veterinarian. Perform weekly rounds in all campus vivaria.
• Perform physicals on animals as necessary. Maintain appropriate records of animal treatments and evaluations. Under the direction and authority of veterinary staff, make judgments about treating research animals in an “emergency” situation or after communication attempts with the investigator have been repeatedly unsuccessful.
• Coordinate with research personnel to manage needs such as scheduling use of procedure rooms; reserving veterinary equipment (anesthesia table, scales, etc.); providing technical support [examples include: individualized training sessions; assistance with anesthesia (induction and monitoring); blood and tissue collection; animal identification, administering experimental agents; animal euthanasia; surgical assistance, etc.].
• Maintain training records and billing for fee-for-hire services provided to researchers.
• Prepare and submit samples for diagnostic laboratory evaluations for hematology, parasitology, serology, microbiology, cytology, and clinical pathology. Performs sample collection and handling of diagnostic samples and equipment.
• Ensure that diagnostic testing is performed for transfers and sentinel testing in a timely manner and results are reported as soon as they are available.

Documents and Files:

• Create and maintain documents including Injured/Sick Animal Reports, Controlled Drug transfer forms, in-house use controlled substance administration forms, animal cage cards, and controlled drug safe audit records.
• Monitor controlled and non-controlled drugs and perform a bi-monthly inventory/audit.
• Manage drug and supply inventories.

Support Rooms:

• Monitor and maintain support rooms including animal surgical suites, treatment rooms, procedure rooms, sterilization rooms, necropsy rooms, and diagnostic laboratories. Advises proper personnel of any needed maintenance on equipment (microscopes, anesthesia machines, lighting).

What You Should Know

• This position requires the ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule based on workload and timelines as well as the ability to work overtime as needed before or after regular shifts or on weekends.

What We Require

• Associate’s degree in veterinary technology or related field. Demonstration of equivalent proficiency and knowledge, combined with experience, may substitute for the degree.
• One year of experience in a veterinary technician role in an animal research facility.
• Veterinary technician certification (RVT/CVT). Demonstration of equivalent proficiency and knowledge, combined with experience, may substitute for certification.
• Valid driver’s license.

Occupational Health & Safety Program Requirements:

As a safeguard for employees and animals, all OAR employees may be subject to vaccines/tests/physical exams prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as required by research needs including but not limited to:

• Tdap (vaccination < 10 years)
• MMR vaccination (or will have titers done)
• Rat and mouse IgE titers as necessary
• Periodic physical exams (may include respirator fit test)

What You Will Need

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to exchange and collect information and handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Ability to enter data in a database and experience keeping activity logs and managing inventory.
• Knowledge of an animal research facility.
• Ability to work with complex machinery.
• Planning and organization skills.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience working with laboratory animal-related software systems (e.g. Topaz Software, Key Solutions, NTM (e-Sirius)).
• Experience in an animal research facility.
• AALAS certification ALAT, LAT, or LATG.
• Experience handling rodents (rats and mice).
• Experience with analgesia, anesthesia, and aseptic surgery.